Electric automobile.



No. 692,874. I Patented Feb. ll

- vH. LEMP. I

ELECTRIC AUTOMOBILE.

(Application filed Nov. 2, 1900.;

4 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

H iman TNE Ncnms r-m'zns $0., PHoTo-Lmfu, WASHINGTON. b. c.

No. 692,874. Patented Feb. ll,- I902.

.H. LEMP;

ELECTRIC AUTOMOBILE.

(Applicm zion filed Nov. 2, 1900.)

(No Model.) 4=Sheets-8heet 2.

If I I ms NDIIRIS PEYERS c0. wow-Lima. WASHINGTON. n. c.

No. 692,874. Patented Feb. u, I902.

, H. LEMP.

ELECTRIC AUTOMOBILE.

(Application filed Nov, 2, 1900 (No Model.) 7 4 SheetsSheet 3.

II IIIIIII I II p - 1 m m mm Yim ii... 3.521115 No. 592,374. PatentedFeb. u, I902.

V H. LE MP.- H ELECTRIC AUTOMOBILE.

' (Applicatiup filed. Nov. 2; 1900.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Fiq.l4.

P' J MW;

Witnesses. 1 lhventor.

' HcrmannuLcmp.

THE mums PETERs co. PHOTO-LITHO., wnsnmmcufua UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

HERMANN LEMP, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRICCOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC AUTOMOBILE.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 692,874, dated February1 1, 1902 7 Application filed November 2, 1900. Serial No. 35,253. (Nomodel.)

tion with stationary conductors for supplying current to a contactdevice mounted on the vehicle for engagement therewith.

The invention has for its object to'im prove the construction andoperation of electricallypropelled vehicles, as will be more fullydescribed and claimed hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of aself-propelled vehicle. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of a motor and clutchmechanism; Fig. 3, a partial side ele-- vation of the motor and clutchmechanism.

Fig. 4: is a sectional view taken on line 4 40f Figs. 2 and 5. Fig. 5 isa transverse section through the clutch and worm-driving. mechanism.Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views of the clutch. Figs. 8 to 13, inclusive,are diagrams of the circuit connections; and Fig. 14 is a development ofthe controller-cylinder.

In operating electrically-propelled vehicles it is desirable to employ ahigh-speed motor or motors and to gear said motor or motors to thedriving wheel or wheels by a mechanism which Will make little or nonoise. It is preferable to use a motor in which the reduction of speedbetween the armature and the driving-wheel is about twenty to one. 7 Ifsuch motor is employed, considerable weight may be saved or a greatereffieienoy may be secured for the same weight. The only satisfactorymeans of transmission for such high reductions is worm-gearing. Withworm-gearing when the ratio of transmission is greater than eight to onethe angle of the worm is such that it cannot be driven backward. Inother words, the vehicle can be driven by the m0- tor-armature; but theworm cannot drive the armature when the power is out off and the ormotors.

vehicle permitted to coast. With a greater ratio of gearing than one toeight if power Were suddenly cut off, (i ue to accident or otherwise, itwould either destroy the working mechanism or stop so suddenly as tothrow the occupants out of the vehicle.

I overcome the objection above pointed out by utilizing anelectrically-actuated clutch, which clutch is provided with anenergizingcoil that is in series with the propelled motor The clutch ispreferably designed to lock the motor-armature to the driving mechanismas distinguished from. those clutches in which a certain amount of slipis permitted and desired. If, however, it is desired to get anintermediate regulation differing from that alforded bythe controller orfor any other reason, the'clutch can be arranged to slip. With anarrangement of either kind when the current is out 01f from the motor ormotors the gearing between the motor and the driving wheel or wheels isdisengaged and the vehicle isfree to coast. A satisfactory arrangementis to suspend the motor from the vehicle-body in a. vertical position,with the worm' on the armature-shaft acting on the front side of aworm-wheel carried by or secured to the driving wheel or wheels.Preferably the clutch for controlling the mechanism is of a type inwhich the exciting-coil is stationary and mounted on a stationary axle,while the magnetic keeper or armature is a part of the driving-wheel.course a moving coil may be used whenever any advantage would followtherefrom.

Referring to Fig. 1, A represents the body of the vehicle, B thesteering-wheels, and O the driving-wheels. The steering is accomplishedthrough the handle D, and the speed of the motors is regulated by thecontroller E, which is located under the seat of the vehicle and isprovided with an operating-handle that is conveniently located at oneside of the operators seat. The braking is accomplished throughafoot-operated lever F, that actuates a baud-brake F on a hub carried bythe driving-wheels. The vehicle-body is supported by twofull ellipticsprings at the rear, which extend parallelwitht'ue direction of travelof the vehicle, and at the front by a single transverse spring. Theupper sides of the rear body-springs are secured by clamps G, that arebolted to the frame of the carriage-body. The lower half of each ofthese springs is mounted in a socket; G that is formed on the upper sideof the fixed casing H, which surrounds the driving-worm and wormavheel.

The rear axle is stationary, and rigidly se cured thereto is acylindrical casing H. This casing incloses the driving mechanism, aswill be hereinafter described. Located above the casing is a small highspeed motor I. This motor is mounted in such a manner that thearmature-shaft extends in a vertical direction at right angles to theplane of the axle. The motor is supported by means of a boss orprojection 11, that is formed on the casing H, which boss or projectionalso surrounds the armature-shaft and forms a hearing therefor. Formedintegrally with and on the front end of the motor are two lugs I, andpassing through these lugs and also through a supporting-bracket J,which is secured to the under side of the vehicle-body, is a rod or bolth. Surrounding this bolt and located, respectively, above and below thebracket are coiled springs K for taking up the thrust of the motor as ittends to twist around the rear axle as a center. On the lower end of thearmature-shaft is a worm I engaging with the worm-wheel l, the latterbeing rigidly connected to the armed spider L, which forms the keeper orarmature ot the clutch. The angle of the teeth on the worm and wormwheelis such that it is impossible for the vehicle to drive the armature ofthe motor, as in coasting, without some special means for disconnectingthe parts as provided.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 4 to 7, inclusive, M represents astationary energizing-coil which is included in series with the motorwhenever the latter is receiving current, as will be more fullydescribed hereinafter. A portion of the rear axle is made hollow, andextending through the hollow portion of the shaft to the coil M areflexible leads M. The driving-wheel O is provided with a hub having adisk-like portion N, with radial extending arms N, which surround thecoil and extend inward to a point Where they can engage with the radialarms of the keeper L. Between the arms of the keeper and the arms N islocated a plate of non-magnetic material to prevent the arms fromsticking. Surrounding the portion of the clutch carried by thedriving-wheel is a casing O, and secured to the casing or formedintegrally therewith is a braking-surface O, with which the band F, Fig.l, engages. The keeper L, which carries the worm-driven wheel, ismounted on ball-bearings on the rear axle, so that it is free to turn.\Vhen the coil M is energized, the keeper L and the magnet N areattracted, and the tooth-like structure of these parts causes them to befirmly locked together. Motion will then be imparted from the worm I onthe armature-shaft to the worm-wheel I and to the keeper L, and thenceto the armature N and the driving-wheel O. In the drawings only onedriving-motor is shown; but it is to be understood that a motor isemployed for each of the rear driving-wheels. It is within the scope ofmy invention, however, to use only a single motor and to locate it inany desired position, and I aim to embrace such a use in the claims. Thefeature of using two motors (one for each drivingwheel) possessescertain advantages over the use of a single motor, and for that reasonis more desirable; but my invention is not limited thereto.

Referring to Figs. 8 to 12, inclusive, Prepresents a source of energy, Iand I the motor-armatures, and I the field-windings.

The controller E and the circuit-wires and brushes therefor areillustrated in Fig. 14;.

In Fig. 8 the batteries P are shown as connected in series. In serieswith the source of supply are two stationary clutch-coils M, one foreach motor. \Vhen a single motor is used, only one coil is needed. Thecurrent after passing through the clutch-coils passes through thefield-windings of the motors in multiple series, and thence through thearmatures of both motors and back to the source of supply. Thisarrangement of circuits represents the lowest backward speedconnections, and the coils M being energized lock the parts of theclutch together, and motion is imparted from both motors to thedrivingwheels.

Referring to Fig. 9, the circuits are represented as they exist in thefirst forward and lowest speed running position. The batteries are shownas connected in multiple, and current therefrom passes through theclutchcoils M in a direction opposite to that illustrated in connectionwith Fig. 8, after which it passes through the field-coils of the motorsin multiple series, and thence through the armatures of both motors inseries to the negative side of the battery.

In Fig. 10 the circuit connections have been modified to the extent ofconnecting the batteries in series, thereby increasing the eifectiveelectromotive force, and consequently the speed of the vehicle. Theremainder of the connections are as illustrated in Fig. 9.

In Fig. 11 the circuit connections have been modified to the extent ofconnecting the armatures of the two motors in multiple instead ofseries. In other respects the connections are as above described.

In Fig. 12 the circuit connections are modified to the extent ofconnecting the motors in multiple and cutting out approximately onehalfof each field-winding. This is the highest speed combination ofcircuits. It will be seen that the clutches are operated irrespective ofwhether the vehicle is going forward or backward and also that they arein operative condition just as soon as the circuit is closed. Byincluding these clutch-coils in circuit with the motors and regulatingthem by IIC means of the speed-controlling device it entails no extraexertion or thought on the part of the operator, since it is taken careof automatically by the opening or closing of the circuit. When thevehicle comes to a point where it is desired to stop or to coast, theoperator merely brings the controller-handle to th'ofi position and thecircuit of the clutchcoils is automatically interrupted and thedriving-wheels being thus released from the driving-motors are free toturn, and as soon as the armature stops the worm-wheels will stop alsoand remain idle until the circuit of the motors is again completed. -Inorder to stop the vehicle,the brake-lever F is actuated.

In Fig. 13 is shown two of the contacts E, which are carried by thecylinder of the controllerE. Mounted forengagement With these contactsare brushes E which are connected to the conductors leading to themagnet-coils- M and the motors. For the sake of simplicity the remainderof the contacts and brushes have been omitted. The contacts E arecrossconnected, so that when they are brought from the off position, asshown, into engagement with the stationary brushes E the circuit throughthe magnet-coils M, motors l and I and source of supply P is completed.

It will thus be seen that the coils M always receivecurrent when themotors are operating to propel the vehicle and this Without thought onthe part of the operator. 7

Fig. 14 shows the cylinder of the controller E developed, together withthe necessary brushes and wires for coupling up the motors in the mannerillustrated in-Figs. 8 to 12, in-

clusive. When the contacts on the cylinder are moved to a point wherethe brushes rest on 1ine'8 8, the batteries P are connected in series,as are also the armatures. then passes from the batteries P through themagnet-coils M in series, to the field-coils 1 through the latter inmultiple, and thence through the armatures in series to the nega-' tiveside of the batteries P. This arrangement of circuits gives the motorcombination illustrated in Fig. 8 and is designed tocause backwardrotation of the armatures. When the cylinder is advanced to a positionwhere the vertical row of brushesrests on the line 9 9, the batteries Pare connected in multiple and current flows therefrom through themagnetcoils in series, thence through the Iield coils '1 in multiple,and through the armatures in series back to the batteries. With theparts arranged as described the motors are connected as shown in Fig. 9,which gives the first speed forward. When the contacts on the cylinderare advanced to a position where the vertical row of brushes rests online 10 10, the batteries are coupled in series relation, the motor andclutch-coil connections remaining as before. With the partsarranged asdescribed themotors are connected asshown in Fig. 10. Advancing thecontacts to the point where the brushes rest on line 11 llconnects themotor-armatures in multiple relation, the

Current clutch-coils M beingin series, as before. This combination ofcircuits is shown in Fig. .11. Advancing the contacts to a point wherethe brushes rest on line 12 12 gives the circuit I combinationsillustrated in Fig. 1 2that is say, the batteries and clutch-coils arein series relation, the armatures in multiple, with a portion of thefield-coils cut out.

When the bru shes stand at a point intermediate the positionsillustrated by the lines 8 8 and 9 9, the clutch-coils are out ofcircuit and the vehicle is free to coast.

What I claim as'new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is-

- 1. The combination of a vehicle, a drivingwheel, a source of energy, amotive-power agency, worm-gearing between the motivepower agency and adriving-wheel, a regulator for said motive-power agency,and meanscontrolled by said regulator for connecting and disconnecting theworm-driving mechanism from the driving-wheel.

- 2. In a vehicle, the combination ofa stationary axle, a driving-wheelsleeved thereon, a

mass of magnetic material arranged to move with, the :wheel, anenergizing magnet-coil mounted on the statlonaryaxle,a magnetlc keepersleeved on the axle, means for rotating said keeper, a motor, and meansfor' in cluding the energizing-coil in circuit with'the motor wheneverit is receiving current." i

3. In a vehicle, the combination of a stationary axle, a casing rigidlysecured thereto, a

too

driving mechanism inclosed in said casing, a motor supported by saidcasing, gearing bes tween said motor and the driving mechanism locatedwithin the casing,- and a flexible nose suspension'for the'motor. I j

4:. In a vehicle, the combination of an axle, a driving-wheel mountedthereon, a casing rigidly mounted on the rear axle, an electromotorsupportedby said casing, gearing be tween the motorand the driving-wheel10 cated' within the casing, a vehicle-body, a

supporting-spring between the vehicle-body andthe axle, and a socketformed in said casing in which said spring is seated. I

5. In a vehicle, the combination of an axle,

v a casin g mounted on said ax1e,a vehicle-body,

an elliptic spring between said vehicle-body and the casing, a socketcarried by saidcasing and arranged to receive'the underside of thespring, an electrotnotor having a vertically-extendingarmature-shaftmounted on said casingy'and a bracket carried by the. ve=

I hicle-body for supporting the nose end of the motor. i I, i

6. In a vehicle, the combination of a source of electric supply, a pairof motors for propelling the vehicle, a magnetic clutch between eachmotor and its driving-wheel, and a single controller for coupling themotor-coils'in dif= ferent relations for speed changes, and formaintaining the clutch-coils in fixed relation under all changesin motorcombinations.

7. In a vehicle, the combinationof'asource 1 of electric supply, a pairof motors for propelling the vehicle, a magnetic clutch between eachmotor and a driving wheel or wheels, a controller, contacts thereon forelfecting various combinations of the motor-windings,and contacts alsoon said controller which are so arranged that whenever the motor-circuitis completed the circuit through the magnetic clutches is also completedand in the same direction.

S. The combination of a stationary axle, a I

casing rigidly mounted thereon, a motor mounted on the casing in such amanner that its armature-shaft extends at right angles to the plane ofthe axle, a vehicle-body, a supporting-spring between the axle and thebody, a bracket secured to the body, and a flexible connection betweenthe motor and the bracket.

9. The combination of a driving-wheel, a shaft therefor,a source ofenergy, a motor having its driving-shaft located at right angles to thewheel-shaft, worm-gearing between the wheel and the motor, a rotatingelement concentrically mounted with respect to the axle and forming asupport for one part of the worm-gearing, a second element secured tothe driving-wheel, means for operatively connecting the two elements,and a regulating device for controlling the speed of the motor andthrowing the two elements into and out of operative relation.

10. In an electric motor, a worm driven thereby, a worm-Wheel meshingwith the worm, a mass of magnetic material forming a support for theWorm-Wheel, a wheel driven by the motor, a mass of magnetic materialmoving with the wheel, an energizing-coil, and a single controller forchanging the relation of the motor-coils to vary the speed of the motorand energizing the coil.

11. In combination, an axle, a support rigidly mounted thereon, anelectric motor mounted on the support and having its driving-shaftmounted at right angles to the shaft, worm-gearing between the axle andthe motor, and a clutch-coil which is included in the motor-circuit andis broken each time the supply of energy to the motor is interrupted.

12. In combination, an axle, an armature mounted thereon, a worm-wheelsecured to the armature, a worm meshing with the wheel, a gear-casingwhich is rigidly secured to the axle and incloses both the worm-wheeland the worm, a motor mounted on the casing and connected to the worm,and an elastic means for decreasing the tendency of the motor to revolvearound the axle.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this th day of October,1900.

HERMANN LEMP.

\Vitnesses: v

DUGALD MoKILLoP, JOHN J. \VALxnn.

